Light-emitting device

ABSTRACT

A light-emitting system includes a light-emitting device, and a holding member holding the light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a light-transmitting substrate, a plurality of light-emitting units provided on a first surface of the substrate away from each other, each light-emitting unit comprising a light-transmitting first electrode, a light-reflective second electrode, and an organic layer located between the first electrode and the second electrode, a light-transmitting region which is located between the light-emitting units, and through which light is transmitted in a thickness direction, and an optical filter that overlaps the light-transmitting region and does not overlap the plurality of light-emitting units. The holding member includes a pattern for giving light shielding characteristics.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/153,813, filed on Jan. 20, 2021, which is a Continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/077,365, filed on Aug. 10, 2018, which isa National State Entry of International Patent Application No.PCT/JP2017/004916, filed on Feb. 10, 2017, with benefitting priorityfrom Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-025293, filed on Feb. 12,2016, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a light-emitting device.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, there has been progress in the development oflight-emitting devices using an organic EL. Such a light-emitting deviceis used as an illumination device or a display device and has aconfiguration in which an organic layer is interposed between a firstelectrode and a second electrode. Generally, a transparent material isused for the first electrode, and a metal material is used for thesecond electrode.

One of the light-emitting devices using an organic EL is a technologydescribed in Patent Document 1. In the technique of Patent Document 1,the second electrode is provided only in a portion of a pixel in orderto cause a display device using an organic EL to have opticaltransparency (see-through property). In such a structure, since a regionlocated between a plurality of second electrodes transmits light, thedisplay device can have optical transparency. Meanwhile, in thetechnique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a light-transmittinginsulating film is formed between the plurality of second electrodes inorder to define a pixel. In Patent Document 1, an example of a materialof this insulating film includes an inorganic material such as a siliconoxide, or a resin material such as an acrylic resin.

RELATED DOCUMENT Patent Document

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.2011-23336

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

Depending on the application of a light-transmitting light-emittingdevice, the amount and color of light transmitted through thelight-emitting device may be desired to be restricted. Even in such acase, it is often the case that the amount and color of light which isradiated from a light-emitting unit of the light-emitting device is notdesired to be restricted.

An exemplary problem to be solved by the present invention is torestrict the amount and color of light which is transmitted through alight-emitting device having optical transparency and to prevent theamount and color of light which is radiated from a light-emitting unitfrom being restricted.

Solution to Problem

According to the invention of claim 1, there is provided alight-emitting device including: a light-transmitting substrate; aplurality of light-emitting units, provided on a first surface of thesubstrate away from each other, each light-emitting unit including alight-transmitting first electrode, a light-reflective second electrode,and an organic layer located between the first electrode and the secondelectrode; a light-transmitting region which is located between thelight-emitting units, and through which light is transmitted in athickness direction; and an optical filter that overlaps thelight-transmitting region, and does not overlap the plurality oflight-emitting units or overlaps a surface of the plurality oflight-emitting units on an opposite side to a light emission surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages will be madeclearer from certain preferred embodiment described below, and thefollowing accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of alight-emitting device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the light-emitting device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of alight-emitting device according to Modification Example 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of alight-emitting device according to Modification Example 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of alight-emitting device according to Modification Example 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of alight-emitting device according to Modification Example 4.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a light-emitting device according toModification Example 5.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a light-transmitting member shown in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a light-transmitting member according toModification Example 6.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings. In all the drawings, likeelements are referenced by like reference numerals and the descriptionsthereof will not be repeated.

(Embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of alight-emitting device 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a planview of the light-emitting device 10. FIG. 1 corresponds to across-section A-A of FIG. 2 . The light-emitting device 10 according tothe embodiment includes a light-transmitting substrate 100, a pluralityof light-emitting units 140, a light-transmitting region (second region104 and third region 106), and an optical filter 200. The plurality oflight-emitting units 140 are provided on a first surface 100 a of thesubstrate 100 and are separated from each other. The light-emitting unit140 includes a light-transmitting first electrode 110, an organic layer120, and a light-reflective second electrode 130. The organic layer 120is located between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 130.The light-transmitting region is located between the light-emittingunits 140 and transmits light in the thickness direction of thelight-emitting device 10. The optical filter 200 overlaps thelight-transmitting region and does not overlap the plurality oflight-emitting units 140. Meanwhile, the optical filter 200 may overlapthe end of the light-emitting unit 140. However, as shown in amodification example described later, the optical filter 200 may coverthe surface of the light-emitting unit 140 on the opposite side to alight emission surface. In other words, the optical filter 200 is notlocated on the light emission side of the light-emitting unit 140.Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given.

The substrate 100 is, for example, a glass substrate or a resinsubstrate which has optical transparency. The substrate 100 may haveflexibility. In a case where the substrate has flexibility, thethickness of the substrate 100 is, for example, equal to or greater than10 μm and equal to or less than 1,000 μm. The substrate 100 is polygonalsuch as, for example, rectangular or circular. In a case where thesubstrate 100 is a resin substrate, the substrate 100 is formed using,for example, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyether sulphone (PES),polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyimide. In addition, in a casewhere the substrate 100 is a resin substrate, it is preferable that aninorganic barrier film of SiNx, SiON or the like is formed on at leastone surface (preferably, both surfaces) of the substrate 100 in order toprevent moisture from permeating the substrate 100. Meanwhile, in a casewhere the substrate 100 is formed of a resin substrate, there are amethod of directly forming the first electrode 110 and the organic layer120, described later, on the resin substrate, a method of forming thefirst electrode 110 and subsequent layers on a glass substrate, thenpeeling off the first electrode 110 and the glass substrate, and furtherdisposing a peeled-off laminate on the resin substrate, and the like.

The light-emitting unit 140 is formed on one surface of the substrate100. The light-emitting unit 140 has a configuration in which the firstelectrode 110, the organic layer 120 including a light-emitting layer,and the second electrode 130 are laminated in this order. In a casewhere the light-emitting device 10 is an illumination device, theplurality of light-emitting units 140 extend linearly (for example, instraight lines). The plurality of light-emitting units 140 preferablyextend in parallel with each other. On the other hand, in a case wherethe light-emitting device 10 is a display device, the plurality oflight-emitting units 140 may be disposed to form a matrix or may beconfigured to form a segment or display a predetermined shape (todisplay, for example, an icon). The plurality of light-emitting units140 are formed for each pixel.

The first electrode 110 is a transparent electrode having opticaltransparency. A material of the transparent electrode is a metal oxideformed of a material containing a metal, for example, an indium tinoxide (ITO), an indium zinc oxide (IZO), an indium tungsten zinc oxide(IWZO), a zinc oxide (ZnO) or the like. The thickness of the firstelectrode 110 is, for example, equal to or greater than 10 nm and equalto or less than 500 nm. The first electrode 110 is formed by, forexample, sputtering or vapor deposition. Meanwhile, the first electrode110 may be a conductive organic material such as a carbon nanotube orPEDOT/PSS. In addition, the first electrode 110 may have a laminatedstructure in which a plurality of films are laminated. In the drawing, aplurality of linear first electrodes 110 are formed on the substrate 100in parallel with each other. Therefore, the first electrode 110 is notlocated in the second region 104 and the third region 106.

The organic layer 120 includes a light-emitting layer. The organic layer120 has a configuration in which, for example, a hole injection layer, alight-emitting layer, and an electron injection layer are laminated inthis order. A hole transport layer may be formed between the holeinjection layer and the light-emitting layer. In addition, an electrontransport layer may be formed between the light-emitting layer and theelectron injection layer. The organic layer 120 may be formed by vapordeposition. In addition, at least one layer of the organic layer 120,for example, a layer which is in contact with the first electrode 110may be formed using a coating method such as ink jetting, printing, orspraying. Meanwhile, in this case, the remaining layers of the organiclayer 120 are formed by vapor deposition. In addition, all the layers ofthe organic layer 120 may be formed using a coating method. Meanwhile,another light-emitting layer (for example, inorganic light-emittinglayer) may be included instead of the organic layer 120. In addition,the color of light emitted from the light-emitting layer (or the colorof light which is radiated from the organic layer 120) maybe differentfrom or the same as the color of light emitted from a light-emittinglayer of an adjacent light-emitting unit 140 (or the color of lightwhich is radiated from the organic layer 120).

The second electrode 130 includes a metal layer constituted of a metalselected from a first group consisting of, for example, Al, Au, Ag, Pt,Mg, Sn, Zn, and In, or an alloy of metals selected from this firstgroup. Therefore, the second electrode 130 has light shieldingcharacteristics or light reflectivity. The thickness of the secondelectrode 130 is, for example, equal to or greater than 10 nm and equalto or less than 500 nm. The second electrode 130 is formed by, forexample, sputtering or vapor deposition. In the example shown in thedrawing, the light-emitting device 10 includes a plurality of linearsecond electrodes 130. The second electrode 130 is provided for eachfirst electrode 110 and is larger in width than the first electrode 110.For this reason, the entirety of the first electrode 110 is overlappedand covered with the second electrode 130 in the width direction whenseen from the direction perpendicular to the substrate 100. With such aconfiguration, the extraction direction of light emitted from thelight-emitting layer of the organic layer 120 can be adjusted.Specifically, the radiation of light to the first surface 100 a side ofthe light-emitting device 10 can be suppressed. Alternatively, the firstelectrode 110 may be larger in width than the second electrode 130, andthe entirety of the second electrode 130 may be covered with the firstelectrode 110 in the width direction when seen from a directionperpendicular to the substrate 100. In this case, the amount of lightemitted in the direction of the side of the light-emitting device 10having the second electrode 130 formed thereon is relatively large.

The edge of the first electrode 110 is covered with an insulating film150. The insulating film 150 is formed by adding a photosensitivematerial in a resin material such as, for example, polyimide, andsurrounds a portion of the first electrode 110 which serves as thelight-emitting unit 140. In other words, the insulating film 150 definesthe light-emitting unit 140. The insulating film 150 has opticaltransparency. However, the light transmittance is not required to behigh. In a case where the optical transparency of the insulating film150 is high, the transmittance of the second region 104 described laterbecomes higher, and the transmittance of the light-emitting device 10increases. On the other hand, by reducing the transmittance of theinsulating film 150, it is possible to absorb light emitted in thelight-emitting unit 140 which is diffused to the insulating film 150side. Therefore, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 140 canbe emitted without being diffused when seen from the extraction surface.The edge of the second electrode 130 in its width direction is locatedover the insulating film 150. In other words, when seen from a directionperpendicular to a direction in which the light-emitting unit 140extends, a portion of the insulating film 150 protrudes from the secondelectrode 130. In addition, in the example shown in the drawing, theorganic layer 120 is also formed on the upper portion and lateral sideof the insulating film 150.

When seen from the direction perpendicular to a direction in which thelight-emitting unit 140 extends (that is, FIG. 2 ) , the light-emittingdevice 10 includes a first region 102, the second region 104, and thethird region 106.

The first region 102 is a region overlapping the second electrode 130.That is, when seen from the direction perpendicular to the substrate100, the first region 102 is covered with the second electrode 130 andhas a width the same as or different from that of the light-emittingunit 140. In the example shown in the drawing, the width of the firstregion 102 is larger than that of the light-emitting unit 140. The firstregion 102 is a region through which light is not transmitted from thefront surface to the rear surface and from the rear surface to the frontsurface of the light-emitting device 10 or the substrate 100.

A region located between the second electrodes 130 serves as a region(light-transmitting region) through which visible light is transmitted.This light-transmitting region is constituted by the second region 104(first light-transmitting region) and the third region 106 (secondlight-transmitting region). The second region 104 is a region of thelight-transmitting regions which includes the insulating film 150. Thethird region 106 is a region of the light-transmitting regions whichdoes not include the insulating film 150. The light transmittance of thethird region 106 is higher than the light transmittance of the secondregion 104.

The width of the second region 104 is smaller than the width of thethird region 106. Therefore, the light-emitting device 10 has sufficientoptical transparency. In addition, the width of the third region 106 maybe larger or smaller than the width of the first region 102. In a casewhere the width of the first region 102 is set to 1, the width of thesecond region 104 is, for example, equal to or greater than 0 (orgreater than 0 or equal to or greater than 0.1) and equal to or lessthan 0.2, and the width of the third region 106 is, for example, equalto or greater than 0.3 and equal to or less than 2. In addition, thewidth of the first region 102 is, for example, equal to or greater than50 μm and equal to or less than 500 μm, the width of the second region104 is, for example, equal to or greater than 0 μm (or greater than 0μm) and equal to or less than 100 μm, and the width of the third region106 is, for example, equal to or greater than 15 μm and equal to or lessthan 1,000 μm.

Meanwhile, in the example shown in FIG. 1 , at least a portion of thelayers of the organic layer 120 is continuously formed in the firstregion 102, the second region 104, and the third region 106. In otherwords, the organic layer 120 of the plurality of light-emitting units140 is continuously formed. With such a configuration, it is notnecessary to use a mask when a continuous layer of the organic layer 120is formed, and thus the manufacturing cost of the organic layer 120 canbe reduced. However, the organic layer 120 is not required be formed inthe third region 106. In addition, the organic layer 120 is not requiredbe formed in the second region 104. In this case, the transmittance ofthe second region 104 and the third region 106 becomes higher, and thetransmittance of the light-emitting device 10 also becomes higher.

In addition, the light-emitting units 140 maybe lattice-shaped. In thiscase, the third region 106 becomes a region of the substrate 100 whichis surrounded by the second electrodes 130.

The light-emitting device 10 further includes the optical filter 200.The optical filter 200 overlaps at least a portion of thelight-transmitting region of the light-emitting device 10, preferably,the entirety thereof. The optical filter 200 is, for example, alight-shielding filter, and is a filter that shields a portion ofvisible light which is transmitted through the light-transmittingregion. In a region of the light-transmitting region of thelight-emitting device 10 which overlaps the optical filter 200, thetransmittance of the visible light is, for example, equal to or greaterthan 10% and equal to or less than 80%. In this manner, thelight-transmitting region of the light-emitting device 10 has the samefunction as that of light-shielding glass such as smoked glass. Theoptical filter 200 is, for example, a light-transmitting layer or asheet which is lightly colored in black.

However, the optical filter 200 may be a color filter. In this case, theoptical filter 200 transmits less light having a desired wavelengthregion than light having other wavelength regions.

In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the optical filter 200 is provided on asurface (second surface 100 b) of the substrate 100 on the opposite sideto the light-emitting unit 140. The optical filter 200 covers theentirety of the third region 106, the entirety of the second region 104,and a portion of the first region 102. In other words, the edge of theoptical filter 200 overlaps a portion of the first region 102 except thelight-emitting unit 140, specifically, a region of the second electrode130 which is located outside the light-emitting unit 140. The width of aregion in which the optical filter 200 and the second electrode 130overlap each other, in other words, a distance w1 between the edge ofthe optical filter 200 and the edge of the second electrode 130 is, forexample, equal to or greater than 0 pm and equal to or less than 1,000μm. With such a configuration, even in a case where variation occurs inthe position of the optical filter 200 with respect to thelight-transmitting region (third region 106 and second region 104), orthe width of the optical filter 200, it is possible to prevent a portionof the light-transmitting region which is not covered with the opticalfilter 200 from occurring.

Next, a method of manufacturing the light-emitting device 10 will bedescribed. First, the first electrode 110 is formed on the substrate 100by, for example, sputtering. Next, the first electrode 110 is formed ina predetermined pattern by, for example, photolithography. Next, theinsulating film 150 is formed on the edge of the first electrode 110.For example, in a case where the insulating film 150 is formed of aphotosensitive resin, the insulating film 150 is formed in apredetermined pattern by undergoing exposure and development steps.Next, the organic layer 120 and the second electrode 130 are formed inthis order. In a case where the organic layer 120 includes a layer whichis formed by vapor deposition, this layer is formed in a predeterminedpattern using, for example, a mask or the like. The second electrode 130is also formed in a predetermined pattern using, for example, a mask orthe like. Thereafter, the light-emitting unit 140 is sealed using asealing member (not shown).

The optical filter 200 is provided on the second surface 100 b of thesubstrate 100. The optical filter 200 is formed by, for example, coating(for example, screen printing). At this time, a position at which theoptical filter 200 is formed is determined on the basis of, for example,the positions of the insulating film 150 and the second electrode 130.Meanwhile, the optical filter 200 may be formed in advance in a sheetshape. In this case, the optical filter 200 is attached to the secondsurface 100 b of the substrate 100 using, for example, an adhesive layer(or pressure-sensitive adhesive layer).

Hereinbefore, according to the present embodiment, the optical filter200 covers the light-transmitting region of the light-emitting device 10but does not cover the light-emitting unit 140. Therefore, it ispossible to restrict the amount and color of light which is transmittedthrough the light-emitting device 10. In addition, the amount and colorof light which is radiated from the light-emitting device 10 are notrestricted.

([Modification Example 1])

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of alight-emitting device 10 according to Modification Example 1 andcorresponds to FIG. 1 of the embodiment. The light-emitting device 10according to the present modification example has the same configurationas that of the light-emitting device 10 according to the embodiment,except that the edge of the optical filter 200 overlaps a region of thelight-emitting unit 140 which is close to the insulating film 150. Thewidth w3 of a portion of the light-emitting unit 140 which is coveredwith the optical filter 200 is preferably equal to or less than 10% ofthe width of the light-emitting unit 140.

In the present modification example, the optical filter 200 covers thelight-transmitting region of the light-emitting device 10, and thus itis also possible to restrict the amount and color of light which istransmitted through the light-emitting device 10. In addition, since theoptical filter 200 covers only a fraction of the light-emitting unit140, the amount and color of light which is radiated from thelight-emitting device 10 is not substantially restricted.

([Modification Example 2])

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of alight-emitting device 10 according to Modification Example 2 andcorresponds to FIG. 1 of the embodiment. The light-emitting device 10according to the present modification example has the same configurationas that of the light-emitting device 10 according to the embodiment,except that the edge of the optical filter 200 overlaps a region of thethird region 106 (second light-transmitting region) which is close tothe insulating film 150.

In other words, the optical filter 200 covers a portion of the thirdregion 106 which excludes the edge but does not cover the edge of thethird region 106, the second region 104, and the first region 102(including the light-emitting unit 140). However, a distance between theedge of the second region 104 and the edge of the optical filter 200, inother words, a distance w₄ between the edge of the second electrode 130and the edge of the optical filter 200 is preferably equal to or lessthan 10% of the length obtained by adding the second region 104 to thethird region 106.

In the present modification example, the optical filter 200 covers alarge portion of the third region 106, and thus it is also possible torestrict the amount and color of light which is transmitted through thelight-emitting device 10. In addition, since the optical filter 200 doesnot cover the light-emitting unit 140, the amount and color of lightwhich is radiated from the light-emitting device 10 are not restricted.

Meanwhile, the edge of the optical filter 200 may overlap the secondregion 104 (first light-transmitting region).

([Modification Example 3])

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of alight-emitting device 10 according to Modification Example 3 andcorresponds to FIG. 1 of the embodiment. The light-emitting device 10according to the present modification example has the same configurationas that of the light-emitting device 10 according to the embodiment,except that a sheet member 210 is included therein.

The sheet member 210 is, for example, a transparent resin, and isinstalled onto the second surface 100 b of the substrate 100 using anadhesive layer 212 (or pressure-sensitive adhesive layer). The opticalfilter 200 is formed at least in a region of the sheet member 210 whichfaces the third region 106. However, the optical filter 200 is notformed in a region of the sheet member 210 which overlaps thelight-emitting unit 140.

Meanwhile, in the drawing, a relative position between the opticalfilter 200 and the first region 102, the second region 104, and thethird region 106 is as shown in the embodiment. However, this relativeposition may be the same as that in FIG. 2 , may be the same as that inFIG. 3 , and may be the same as that in FIG. 4 .

In addition, in the example shown in the drawing, the optical filter 200is provided on a surface of the sheet member 210 on the opposite side tothe substrate 100. However, the optical filter 200 may be provided on asurface of the sheet member 210 which faces the substrate 100. Inaddition, the optical filter 200 may be formed by coloring a portion ofthe sheet member 210.

In the present modification example, as is the case with the embodiment,it is also possible to restrict the amount and color of light which istransmitted through the light-emitting device 10. In addition, theamount and color of light which is radiated from the light-emittingdevice 10 are not restricted. Further, the optical filter 200 can beinstalled onto the substrate 100 by attaching the sheet member 210 ontothe substrate 100, and thus the optical filter 200 can be easilyinstalled onto the substrate 100.

In addition, in a case where the refractive index of the sheet member210 is between the refractive index of air and the refractive index ofthe substrate 100, it is possible to improve the light extractionefficiency of the light-emitting device 10.

([Modification Example 4])

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of alight-emitting device 10 according to Modification Example 4. Thelight-emitting device 10 according to the present modification examplehas the same configuration as that of the light-emitting device 10according to Modification Example 3, except that the optical filter 200is provided on the first surface 100 a side of the substrate 100.

Specifically, the light-emitting device 10 includes a sealing member180. The sealing member 180 seals the light-emitting unit 140. In theexample shown in the drawing, the sealing member 180 is a sheet-shapedmember (for example, a resin sheet coated with an inorganic material onboth sides thereof) and is installed on the substrate 100 and thelight-emitting unit 140 with an insulating layer 182 (adhesive layer)interposed therebetween. The optical filter 200 is provided on a surfaceof the sealing member 180 on the opposite side to the substrate 100.Meanwhile, the sealing member 180 may have another structure (forexample, so-called can encapsulation structure).

The optical filter 200 covers all of the first region 102, the secondregion 104, and the third region 106. In other words, the optical filter200 does not have an opening at a position overlapping thelight-emitting unit 140.

Meanwhile, as is the case with Modification Example 3, the opticalfilter 200 may be provided on the sheet member 210. In this case, thesheet member 210 is attached to the sealing member 180 using theadhesive layer 212 shown in FIG. 5 . The optical filter 200 may beprovided on a surface of the sheet member 210 which faces the sealingmember 180, may be provided on a surface of the sheet member 210 on theopposite side to the sealing member 180, and may be provided inside thesheet member 210.

In the present modification example, as is the case with the embodiment,it is also possible to restrict the amount and color of light which istransmitted through the light-emitting device 10. In addition, since theoptical filter 200 is provided on a surface of the light-emitting device10 on the opposite side to a light emission surface, the amount andcolor of light which is radiated from the light-emitting device 10 arenot restricted. In addition, since a pattern is not required to beprovided in the optical filter 200, a relative position between thelight-emitting unit 140 and the optical filter 200 is not required to bealigned when the optical filter 200 is installed on the substrate 100.Therefore, the yield rate of the light-emitting device 10 is improved.

Meanwhile, in a case where the sealing member 180 has opticaltransparency, a function of the optical filter 200 may be given to thesealing member 180 by coloring the sealing member 180. In this case,since the sealing member 180 also serves as the optical filter 200, thecost of the light-emitting device 10 is reduced.

([Modification Example 5])

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a light-emitting system including alight-emitting device 10 according to Modification Example 5 and alight-transmitting member 20. FIG. 8 is a plan view of thelight-transmitting member 20 shown in FIG. 7 . In the present example,the substrate 100 is installed on one surface of the light-transmittingmember 20 (holding member). The light-transmitting member 20 is, forexample, window glass. In a case where the light-transmitting member 20is window glass of a building or a moving object (for example, anautomobile, a train, or an airplane), the light emission surface (secondsurface 100 b) of the substrate 100 faces, for example, thelight-transmitting member 20. That is, light emitted by thelight-emitting unit 140 is radiated to the outside of a building or amoving object through the light-transmitting member 20. Meanwhile, in acase where the light-emitting unit 140 is provided on the outer surfaceof a building or a moving object, the light emission surface of thesubstrate 100 faces an opposite side to the light-transmitting member20.

The light-transmitting member 20 is provided with a pattern 22 forgiving light shielding characteristics. The pattern 22 is formed by, forexample, bonding a light shielding layer, mixing a material to lowertransmittance with a material of the light-transmitting member 20,mixing a material of light shielding characteristics with glass in acase where the light-transmitting member has a structure in which glassand glass are coupled, or forming a light-shielding material in anintermediate layer located between glass and glass. However, the pattern22 is not provided in a region (substrate holding region 24) of thelight-transmitting member 20 which overlaps the substrate 100.

In the present example, a portion of the light-emitting device 10 exceptthe light-transmitting member 20 has a configuration shown in theembodiment and any of Modification Examples 1 to 4. As a first example,the optical filter 200 is located between the substrate 100 and thelight-transmitting member 20, and in a region which does not overlap theplurality of light-emitting units 140. In this case, the optical filter200 does not overlap at least a large portion (preferably the entirety)of the light-emitting unit 140. In addition, as a second example, theoptical filter 200 overlaps a surface of the plurality of light-emittingunits 140 on the opposite side to the light emission surface. In thiscase, the optical filter 200 may overlap the light-emitting unit 140.

Since the optical filter 200 is provided, it is possible to restrict theamount and color of light which is transmitted through thelight-emitting device 10. On the other hand, the amount and color oflight which is radiated from the light-emitting device 10 are notrestricted by the optical filter 200. In addition, it is possible toreduce a difference between the transmittance of the light-transmittingmember 20 and the transmittance of the light-emitting device 10. Inother words, in a case where the light-emitting system is viewed, it ispossible to reduce a difference in appearance between a portion providedwith the light-emitting device 10 and the other portions. In addition,it is possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of the light-emittingdevice 10 and the light-emitting system by mass-producing portions otherthan the optical filter 200 of the light-emitting device 10 andselecting the optical filter 200 having a transmittance not differentfrom the transmittance of the light-transmitting member 20.

Here, the transmittance of the optical filter 200 is preferably higherthan the transmittance of a region of the light-transmitting member 20which is provided with the pattern 22. The reason is as follows.

Since the first region 102 of the light-emitting device 10 is a regionin which the light-reflective second electrode 130 is formed, the lighttransmittance of the first region 102 is substantially 0%. Here, thearea (substantially equal to the area of the substrate holding region24) of the light-emitting device 10 installed in the substrate holdingregion 24 of the light-transmitting member 20 is set to S, and the areaof the first region 102 is set to A. As described above, since the widthof the second electrode 130 is small, the second electrode 130 is hardlyvisibly recognizable to the human eye. However, since the area of aregion of the substrate holding region 24 through which light istransmitted is “S-A”, the amount of light which is transmitted throughthe substrate holding region 24 becomes smaller. Therefore, thesubstrate holding region 24 becomes darker overall than in a case wherethe second electrode 130 is not present. Therefore, in a case where thetransmittance of the optical filter 200 is the same as the transmittanceof the pattern 22 of the light-transmitting member 20, the apparenttransmittance of visible light of the light-emitting device 10 (that is,substrate holding region 24) becomes lower by A/S than the transmittance(hereinafter, referred to as B) of a region of the light-transmittingmember 20 which has the pattern 22. Consequently, by adjusting thetransmittance of the optical filter 200 in a direction of becominghigher than B by B×A/S, it is possible to make it hard to feel adifference between the apparent transmittance of the light-emittingdevice 10 and the substrate holding region 24 and that of the pattern22.

In a case where visible light is transmitted through the substrateholding region 24 of the light-transmitting member 20 and thelight-emitting device 10 by performing the above adjustment, the lighttransmittance thereof is equal to or greater than 80% and equal to orless than 120% of the transmittance of visible light of a region of thelight-transmitting member 20 which is provided with the pattern 22,preferably equal to or greater than 90% and equal to or less than 110%,more preferably equal to or greater than 95% and equal to or less than105%, and further more preferably equal to or greater than 99% and equalto or less than 101%.

Meanwhile, the transmittance of light of a region in which the substrateholding region 24 and the light-emitting device 10 overlap each other isdefined and measured, for example, as follows. In the substrate holdingregion 24 of the light-transmitting member 20, the area of a regionoverlapping the first region 102 is set to S1, the area of a regionoverlapping the second region 104 is set to S2, and the area of a regionoverlapping the third region 106 is set to S3. In addition, in thesubstrate holding region 24, the transmittance of light of a regionoverlapping the first region 102 is set to X, the transmittance of lightof a region overlapping the second region 104 is set to Y, and thetransmittance of light of a region overlapping the third region 106 isset to Z. Then, the transmittance of light which is transmitted throughthe substrate holding region 24 and the light-emitting device 10 isregarded as (S1×X+S2×Y+S3×Z)/(X+Y+Z)×100(%).

In addition, the transmittance of light of a region in which thesubstrate holding region 24 and the light-emitting device 10 overlapeach other may be measured using a method of measuring total lighttransmittance specified in JIS K 7375:2008. Further, in a case where theintensity of light incident on the entire surface of the light-emittingdevice 10 from the first surface 100 a side of the substrate 100 is setto P, and the intensity of light emitted from the second surface 100 bside of the substrate 100 is set to T, the transmittance of light of aregion in which the substrate holding region 24 and the light-emittingdevice 10 overlap each other may be set to T/P×100%.

However, a method of measuring the transmittance of light of a region inwhich the substrate holding region 24 and the light-emitting device 10overlap each other is not limited to these examples.

Meanwhile, the transmittance of visible light transmitted through thesubstrate holding region 24 of the light-transmitting member 20, theoptical filter 200, and the light-emitting device 10 may be equal to orgreater than 80% and equal to or less than 120% of the transmittance ofvisible light of the pattern 22 (peripheral region) of thelight-transmitting member 20.

With such a configuration, when the light-emitting device 10 does notemit light, a person viewing the light-transmitting member 20 is notlikely to recognize a boundary between a region which is provided withthe light-emitting device 10 and a region in the periphery thereof. Inother words, a person viewing the light-transmitting member 20 is notlikely to notice that the light-emitting device 10 is present.Meanwhile, the transmittance of visible light of a region of thelight-transmitting member 20 which is not provided with thelight-emitting device 10 can also be regarded as the transmittance ofvisible light in a region in which the light-transmitting member 20 andthe pattern 22 overlap each other.

Here, in the area S (substantially the area of the substrate holdingregion 24) of the light-emitting device 10 installed in the substrateholding region 24 of the light-transmitting member 20, the first region102 of the light-emitting device is a region in which thelight-reflective second electrode 130 is formed, and its lighttransmittance is substantially 0%. Here, in a case where an areaoccupied by the first region 102 in S is set to A, and the transmittanceof the optical filter 200 is the same as the transmittance of thepattern 22 of the light-transmitting member 20, the apparenttransmittance in the light-emitting device 10 and the substrate holdingregion 24 becomes lower by A/S than the transmittance (hereinafter,referred to as B) of the pattern 22 portion. Consequently, thetransmittance of the optical filter 200 is adjusted by B×A/S, and thusit is possible to make it hard to feel a difference in apparenttransmittance between the light-emitting device 10 and the substrateholding region 24 and the pattern 22.

([Modification Example 6])

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a light-transmitting member 20 according toModification Example 6. The present modification example has the sameconfiguration as that of the light-emitting device 10 according toModification Example 5, except for the following points.

In the present modification example, the light-emitting device 10 doesnot include the optical filter 200. Instead thereof, the pattern 22 isalso formed in the substrate holding region 24 of the light-transmittingmember 20, except for a region overlapping the light-emitting unit 140.In other words, the pattern 22 is provided in at least a portion of thelight-transmitting member 20 which overlaps the third region 106 but isnot provided in a region of the light-transmitting member 20 whichoverlaps the light-emitting unit 140. A region of the pattern 22 whichoverlaps the substrate 100 functions as an optical filter.

Meanwhile, a relative position between the pattern 22 in the substrateholding region 24 and the insulating film 150, and the second electrode130 is the same as the relative position between the optical filter 200in the embodiment or any of Modification Examples 1 to 4 and theinsulating film 150, and the second electrode 130. In addition, thelight transmittance of a portion of the pattern 22 which is located inthe substrate holding region 24 may be higher than the lighttransmittance of other portions of the pattern 22. By appropriatelysetting a difference between these light transmittances, a differencebetween the light transmittance of visible light of a region of thelight-transmitting member 20 which is not provided with the substrate100 and the light transmittance of visible light of a region in whichthe light-transmitting member 20 and the substrate 100 overlap eachother can be made smaller (for example, equal to or less than 10%,preferably equal to or less than 5%, more preferably equal to or lessthan 1%).

According to the present modification example, it is possible torestrict the amount and color of light which is transmitted through thelight-emitting device 10. In addition, the amount and color of lightwhich are radiated from the light-emitting device 10 are not restricted.In addition, the optical filter 200 is not required to be installed onthe substrate 100.

As described above, although the embodiments and examples of the presentinvention have been set forth with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, they are merely illustrative of the present invention, andvarious configurations other than those stated above can be adopted.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2016-025293 filed on Feb. 12, 2016, the content of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

1. A light-emitting system comprising: a light-emitting device; and aholding member holding the light-emitting device, wherein thelight-emitting device comprises: a light-transmitting substrate; aplurality of light-emitting units provided on a first surface of thesubstrate away from each other, each light-emitting unit comprising alight-transmitting first electrode, a light-reflective second electrode,and an organic layer located between the first electrode and the secondelectrode; a light-transmitting region which is located between thelight-emitting units, and through which light is transmitted in athickness direction; and an optical filter that overlaps thelight-transmitting region and does not overlap the plurality oflight-emitting units, and wherein the holding member comprises a patternfor giving light shielding characteristics.
 2. The light-emitting systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the holding member comprises a firstregion overlapping the substrate and a second region located around thefirst region, and wherein the pattern is located at the second region.3. The light-emitting system according to claim 2, wherein atransmittance of the optical filter is higher than a transmittance ofthe second region.
 4. The light-emitting system according to claim 1,further comprising a light-transmitting insulating layer that definesthe light-emitting unit, wherein the light-transmitting regioncomprises: a first light-transmitting region that overlaps theinsulating layer and does not overlap the second electrode; and a secondlight-transmitting region that overlaps neither the insulating layer northe second electrode, and wherein an edge of the optical filter overlapsthe first light-transmitting region or the second light-transmittingregion.
 5. The light-emitting system according to claim 1, wherein anedge of the second electrode extends to an outside of the light-emittingunit, and wherein an edge of the optical filter overlaps a region of thesecond electrode which is located outside the light-emitting unit. 6.The light-emitting system according to claim 1, further comprising alight transmitting sheet member provided with the optical filter,wherein the optical filter is provided in a region of the sheet memberwhich overlaps at least a portion of the light-transmitting region andis not provided in a region of the sheet member which overlaps at leasta portion of the light-emitting unit.